Graham Norton Says He Will Continue Eurovision Commentary for Now as UK Prepares for 2026 Vienna Final
The 63-year-old Irish presenter, who succeeded Terry Wogan in 2008, linked his future on the BBC broadcast to whether he can still hold his wee for the show's four-hour duration without breaks. The 2026 grand final takes place tonight in Vienna with the UK guaranteed a slot among the Big Four. Look Mum No Computer performs the British entry halfway through the lineup.
news.sky.comGraham Norton has said his retirement from fronting the BBC’s coverage of the Eurovision Song Contest grand final will depend on his bladder. The 63-year-old Irish presenter, who replaced Terry Wogan as the voice of the contest in 2008 after Wogan’s 35-year stint, told The Guardian he will see what happens. “When will I retire?
I can still hold my wee in for four hours. The Eurovision Song Contest 2026 grand final takes place on 2026-05-16 in Vienna, Austria.
Norton, who has presented the show since succeeding Wogan, made the comments as the UK prepares to compete in tonight’s final. Look Mum No Computer, whose real name is Sam Battle, is performing the UK entry “Eins, Zwei, Drei” around halfway through the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 grand final.
As one of the “Big Four” countries guaranteed a spot in the final due to its financial contribution, the UK joins France, Italy, Germany and host Austria with automatic qualification.
Spain withdrew from the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in protest over Israel’s participation, despite normally being one of the five countries guaranteed a spot due to its broadcaster’s financial contribution to the EBU. Norton offered blunt advice for whoever eventually replaces him as the BBC’s Eurovision commentator. ” “It’s a long time to spend with someone who’s probably not very happy.
There’s only so many positives you can think up to say – and you’ve probably said them all before you’ve even checked in,” he said. Last year the UK entry Remember Monday received nul points in the public vote at Eurovision. Remember Monday was the second British act in a row to receive nul points in the public vote after Olly Alexander suffered the same fate in 2024.
@Independent reported on Norton’s comments ahead of the 2026 contest in Vienna. The presenter’s longevity behind the microphone has now stretched 18 years since he took over from Wogan. His humorous, sometimes irreverent style has become a staple of the BBC’s Eurovision coverage for British audiences.
Tonight’s final will see him once again guide viewers through the performances and voting from the Austrian capital.
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